Government Could Ban Online Pharmacy Apps Like MediBuddy, NetMeds, Tata 1mg, and Others

E-pharmacies may undergo a ban or stricter regulation from the government because of violation of medicine regarding privacy, data, and the sale of drugs.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

E-pharmacy apps such as NetMeds, Tata 1mg, and others may soon face a ban over the sale of online medicine for violating the norms of the government. The Union Health Ministry in India is planning to take strict action against online drug stores that sell medications. This is because of increased concerns over malpractices, security concerns over privacy and data, as well as the baseless sale of medicines. A close source revealed that the government may propose a complete ban.

The revised draft of the New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023 is presently going through inter-ministerial consultation. And as per the proposal of the Central Government, it may prohibit or restrict, regular the same and distribution of any medication sold online or at e-pharmacies. The bill is intended as a replacement for the existing Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. And the renewed draft disables the provision earlier listed in the old draft bill. Here permission was required to operate e-pharmacies.

In the old draft, it was noted that no person could sell, exhibit, offer for sale, stock, or distribute by himself on done by any other person on his behalf of him through e-pharmacy (online medical store) except under and in accordance with permission or license. The government wishes to have better control over the functioning of online pharmacies. It wants to set improved regulations and get rid of the irrational use of prescription medicines, as well as maintain the security and privacy of patient data.

Most online pharmacy apps collect data related to the region and area-wise details, medicine consumption, and others. And this increases the risk to the safety of the patient. Support to ban online pharmacies has found support from a group of ministers already. The proposed regulations are to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines and growing concerns about them being sold in online pharmacies, which are otherwise not under proper regulatory mechanisms.

The decision to ban or regulate e-pharmacies is in regard to tensions about the security and privacy of patient data. The misuse of data is thus, the point of contention here. Some of the pharmacy apps, which are quite popular and may come under purview are Amazon, MediBuddy, Apollo, Tata 1mg, Flipkart, Practo, and NetMeds. They have already received show-cause notices from DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) in February for violating norms over the online sale of medicines.

The DCGI order was sent to all Union Territories and States in November and May 2019, and then again on 3 February 2023, confirming them to comply with the norms of the government.